Dog Declared Dangerous After Neighbor’s Poodle Killed

Two dogs in Otis Orchards face an uncertain future after allegedly killing a poodle.

According to testimony at a recent “dangerous dog” hearing, Peter Cupid, the poodle, was running in his owner’s yard when he was attacked.

Linda Trimp, Peter’s owner, told Commissioner John Roskelley during the hearing that the neighbor’s shepherd-mix, Tahoe, jumped the fence and grabbed the poodle.

Tahoe then jumped back into his owner’s yard, still carrying the 6-pound poodle in his jaws, Trimp said.

Apparently startled by Trimp’s screaming, Tahoe dropped the poodle. But a Rotteweiler named Shasta picked up Peter and began shaking him, Trimp testified.

Kelly Throckmorton, who owns Shasta and Tahoe, disputed Trimp’s story, saying her dogs don’t jump fences.

Instead, Throckmorton said, Peter must have climbed the fence himself, and was killed in Throckmorton’s yard, at 5110 N. Snow Owl. Her husband speculated that a coyote may have carried the poodle over the fence.

The day of the killing, animal control officer Jennifer Kline cited Throckmorton for keeping dogs with “vicious propensities” and allowing them to kill another dog.

On Roskelley’s recommendation, county commissioners ruled Tuesday that Tahoe is dangerous and Shasta is potentially dangerous.

To save Tahoe from being euthanized, Throckmorton must erect elaborate fencing and warning signs, buy a $75 annual license, and get a $50,000 bond and liability insurance.

Insurance companies often are reluctant to issue policies if they know a dog is declared dangerous. Regulations are not as strict for keeping “potentially dangerous” dogs.

, DataTimes